Brookfield agrees to security upgrade

Nanci G. Hutson

Updated 12:00 am, Monday, January 21, 2013

BROOKFIELD -- In unanimous accord, some 55 residents voted during a town meeting Thursday night to spend $70,000 of the town's fund balance to immediately implement the first of a three-phase school security upgrade plan.

The Board of Education will be contributing an additional $40,000 toward the upgrades that will focus primarily on improving control over entrance and exit in the district's four schools: two elementary schools, a middle school and high school.

Other improvements will include installing security glass that, while not bullet-proof, provides more protection than current windows.

School security has been at the forefront of discussions after the Dec. 14 shootings of 20 students and six educators in Sandy Hook. All of the town leaders here were unanimous in support of immediate upgrades to enhance student and staff safety.

The Board of Education's capital improvement plan for 2013-14 now includes an additional $75,000 for security improvements.

Security upgrades suggested range from buzzer and video surveillance to safety doors, reconstructed reception areas and radio communication. The plan does not propose additional police in the schools.